Lvad/Rvad accessible shirts, tunics, and/or dresses fashionable clothing

ABSTRACT

A garment comprising of a faux pocket(s)/slot(s) is formed in order to allow the passing of the exposed portion of a driveline and support peripherals of a Lvad/Rvad, such as the monitor/controller and batteries is shown and described. The garment, including front panel(s) and rear panel(s) are joined together, to create a neck opening. The right and left arm panel(s) will form arm openings, with options for sleeves. The garments right and left pocket/slots, with the interior portion, will remain un sewn in order to leave a pass-through opening to the exterior part of the pocket(s)/slots. Once the driveline and support peripherals of a Lvad/Rvad have successfully pass-through each pocket(s) slot(s), it will be closed with buttons and/or snaps to give the appearance of a regular functioning garment pocket(s)/slot(s).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application refers to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/917,754 filed for LVAD/RVAD Accessible Shirt, Tunic and/or Dresses Fashionable Clothing on Dec. 27, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention refers to accessible garments for women, men and children, comprising of shirts; tunics; dresses; gowns; jumpers; rompers; pajamas; coats; cardigan's; vest; sweaters and suit jackets, for use by patients with Left Assist Devices (LVAD) and/or Right Ventricular Assist Devices (RVAD) which are surgically implanted in a person's body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

LVADs and RVADs, also known as VADs, are life-sustaining medical devices surgically implanted within the body to assist with cardiac function for patients diagnosed with late stage heart failure. The LVAD and RVAD have both internal and external components.

The internal component is the pump that attaches to the heart, and the external components “support peripherals” which include two exterior batteries, a controller (which monitor the heart), and a driveline. A driveline cable, which is connected to the VAD internally, exits through the skin in the abdomen and connects to the external hardware (i.e. the controller end battery supply). The external components of both devices must always be close to the body.

LVAD and/or RVAD patient(s) have limited options for wearing fashionable garments, due to the external drive line.

There is a present need for garments that are specially designed for patients that have a LVAD/RVAD device(s). This invention will provide patients with the freedom to wear fashionable clothing with LVAD/RVAD devices without altering the function of the device(s) as provided by the manufacturer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the aforementioned concerns by providing an alternative garment for LVAD/RVAD patients that are searching for a more fashionable and practical solution to conceal their external driveline. The VAD external driveline is a component of the medical device that is connected to the heart internally and exits the body through the abdomen. There is a present need for a clothing option that will obscure the appearance of the driveline and allow for ease of access to the medical device without altering the overall appearance of their attire.

This garment will help LVAD/RVAD patients disguise the presence of the medical device. The invention will allow clothing to lay flat against the body instead of altering the appearance of the clothing on the side of the external driveline, which commonly occurs with standard garments. LVAD/RVAD patients will have an accessible exit from their exterior components within the garment which will allow for easier manipulation of the medical device.

These garments will be offered in many different colors, materials/fabrics, and styles. They can also be accessorized with additional embellishments such as“but, not limited to” pockets, zippers, buttons, snaps, studs, rhinestones and grommets to add personalized detail and keep up to date with the current fashion trends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Numerous features and related advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood; when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a shirt/tunic styled garment for women; that has been adapted to camouflage the existing LVAD and RVAD medical device drive line;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a dress styled garment; that is adapted to camouflage the existing LVAD and RVAD medical device drive line;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a women's dress/tunic garment; comprising a faux pocket, wherein; the pocket has the appearance of a visually normal styled pocket as seen from the exterior the garment;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a jumpsuit/romper, with right and left faux pockets;

FIG. 5 is referring to the present drawing; “whereas shown for references purposes only”; the drawing gives a visual representation of how a LVAD/RVAD patients' shirt, tunic or dress would appear without the faux pocket;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of how the pocket(s)/slot(s) of a garment; will appear when fully unfastened; also shown; the support peripheral's; with the exposed portion of the drive line as it would appear at time of exit from the garments internal portion of the “unsewn end” of the pocket(s)/slot(s);

FIG. 7 refers to a nude drawing in order to give a clearer understanding of how the support peripheral's and driveline would appear prior to placement of the garment(s);

FIG. 8 refers to how a patient would appear after placement of the garment on the body;

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of how the pocket(s)/slot(s) will appear in the interior portion of the garment with the pocket unsewn;

FIG. 10 refers to an exploded view of the faux pocket(s)/slot(s) with button(s) and corresponding buttonhole(s) or snap(s) with the bottom portion of the pocket(s)/slot(s), “unsewn”; this will allow the peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline, controller and batteries supplier) to assimilate from the interior opening through to the exterior portion of the pocket(s)/slot(s);

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of how a men's and/or boys' shirt would look with the exterior pocket(s)slot(s);

FIG. 12 refers to a tunic, shirt, and/or a dress, front, rear, pocket and sleeve “patterned pieces.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN THE DRAWING

-   1(A) tunic/shirt -   1(B) right and left sleeves for tunic/shirt for references only “but     not limited to.” -   2(A) dress. -   2(B) right and left sleeves for dress for references only “but not     limited to.” -   3(A) jumpsuits -   3(B) rompers -   4) interior pocket(s)/slot(s) -   5) unsewn portion of the interior pocket(s)/slot(s) -   6) view of exterior pocket(s)/slot(s) -   7) exploded view of the pocket(s)/slot(s) opening -   8) knot or fabric puckering; as resulted from driveline pulled     fabric -   9) button(s) -   10) buttonhole(s) -   11) batteries -   12) monitor/controller -   13) driveline -   14) medical device bag -   15) shows the direction of the peripheral's components (i.e.     monitor, batteries and driveline) as they would appear at time of     exit through the internal pocket(s) slot (s) opening into the     exterior part of the garments pocket(s)/slot(s) -   16) men(s)/boy(s) shirt -   17) male portion of snap(s) -   18) female portion of snap(s) -   19) reinforced material/fabric -   20 (A) pattern pieces for the tunic/shirt and dress of the front     panel for references only “but not limited to.” -   20 (B) pattern pieces for the tunic/shirt and dress of the rear     panel for references only “but not limited to -   20 (C) sleeves

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, according to a least one aspect of the invention, there is shown a garment 1(A) adapted to camouflage the existing (LVAD/RVAD) medical device drive line; The peripheral support devices LVAD's/RVAD's, also known as VADs, are life-sustaining medical devices surgically implanted within the body to assist with cardiac function for patients diagnosed with late stage heart failure. The LVAD and RVAD have both internal and external components. The internal component is the pump that attaches to the heart, and the external components include two exterior batteries, a controller (which monitors the heart), and a driveline. A driveline cable, which is connected to the VAD internally, exits through the skin in the abdomen and connects to the external hardware (i.e. the monitor/controller and battery supply). The external components of both devices must always be close to the body.

Garment of 1(A), featured in FIG. 1 tunic/shirt, and 2(A), dress of FIG. 2, which includes interior pocket(s)/slot(s) 4, with reinforce material/fabric 19, whereas; the interior portion of the pocket(s)/slot(s) 5; will remain unsewn in order to negotiate the peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline; 13, controller/monitor 12, and batteries 11 supplier), safely through the pocket(s)/slot(s) opening 7, and exiting the exterior pocket(s)/slot(s) of 6, wherein; the button(s) 9; will be adapted and positioned in place with the exterior portion 6, of the interior pocket(s) 5; wherein, had previously been sewn to the exterior tunic/shirt 1(A) and dress 2(A) the button(s) 9, referenced in FIG. 1, and also seen in the illustration in FIG. 10; will be inserted through the buttonholes 10, for a symmetrical appearance as seen in any regular stylish garments, with an option for snap(s) that comprises of a male 17, and female 18 closure apparatus; that will also be “(but, not limited to)” an alternative to the button closures.

The garments shown in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. show a prospective drawing of sleeves for a 1(A) tunic/shirt and/or 2(A) dresses, the picture depicts a shorter style sleeve 1(B)/2(B) whereas, the drawing is for illustration purposes-only, with the understanding that the reference to sleeve(s) length(s); while keeping up with upcoming fashion trends, should not be limited to length(s), width(s), style(s) or embellishments for sleeve(s) for the garments made for (LVAD/RVAD) women's, men and/or children clothing.

Garment of FIG. 3 is an illustration of a sleeveless tunic/shirt 1(A) and or dress 2(A) in reference to a side view.

Garment of FIG. 4, comprising of a jumpsuit 3(A) and a drawing of a romper 3(B), which also, includes interior pocket(s)/slot(s) 4, with reinforce material/fabric 19; whereas, the interior portion of the pocket(s)/slot(s) 5 will remain unsewn in order to negotiate the peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline; 13, controller/monitor 12, and batteries 11 supplier), safely through the pocket(s)/slot(s) opening 7, and exiting the exterior pocket(s)/slot(s) of 6, wherein, the button(s) 9, will be adapted and positioned in place with the exterior portion 6, of the interior pocket(s) 5, wherein, had previously been sewn to the exterior jumpsuit 3(A) and romper 3(B), the button(s) 9, referenced in FIG. 1, and also seen in the illustration FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, will be inserted through the buttonholes 10, for a symmetrical appearance as seen in any regular stylish garments, with an option for snap(s) that comprises of a male 17, and female 18 closure apparatus; that will also be “(but, not limited to)” an alternative to the button closures; these garments would not be a design option without the faux pocket(s) slot(s) ability to facilitate the passing its peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline; 13, monitor/controller 12, and batteries 11 supplier), safely through the pocket(s)/slot(s) opening 7.

Referring to the drawing in FIG. 5 is shown as a tunic/shirt 1(A); this is given in reference to how a patient may have to wear a tunic/shirt 1(A). also, shown is a knot or puckering 8, that is created by the driveline 13, wherein; having the benefits of having a faux pocket, will eliminate the puckering that is associated with the driveline pulling of the clothing in an upward motion; this obstacle is created from the life sustaining medical devices driveline 13 and connecting medical device bag 14.

FIG. 6 Refers to a tunic/shirt 1, with an exploded view of the peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline; 13, controller/monitor 12, and batteries 11 supplier), as it would appear while exiting through, “5, not seen in drawings and is for references-only”. the interior unsewn portion of pocket(s)/slot(s) and the pocket interior pockets(s)/slot(s) of 4, also, seen in this drawing, the pockets as it will appear “7,” opened, this will give a visual impression of how all components of the peripheral support device will be assimilated through while passing, whereas, 15, shows the direction in which the pass through will occur from the interior pocket(s)slot(s) and through the 6 exterior pocket(s)/slot(s).

FIG. 7 Refers to a nude drawing in order to give a clearer understanding of how the pocket(s)/slot(s). peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline; 13, monitor/controller 12, and batteries 11 supplier) would appear prior to placement of the garment.

FIG. 8 Refers to how a patient would appear after placement of a garment, 1(A) tunic/shirt, and, as seen in this drawing, the peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline; 13) with the connection to the internal portioned a patients abdomen, wherein; can be seen in a clearer drawing of FIG. 7 with an illustration of both the driveline 13 and the medical device bag that supports the peripheral devices (i.e. driveline; 13, monitor/controller 12, and batteries 11 supplier) and how they assimilate together as a functioning unit.

FIG. 9 As shown in all garment drawings, this will illustrate the interior portion of the pocket(s) slot(s) 4, as it will appear unsewn 5, while, giving a better understanding of the pocket(s)/slot(s) 7 opening.

FIG. 10 Refers to an exploded view of 6 the faux pocket(s)/slot(s) with button(s) 9 and corresponding buttonhole(s) 10 or snap(s) with the bottom portion 5 of the pocket(s)/slot(s), whereas, “unsewn” which will allow the peripheral support devices (i.e. driveline, 13 monitor/controller 12, and batteries 11, supplier) to assimilate from the interior opening 7 through to the exterior portion of the pocket(s)/slot(s).

FIG. 11 refers to a men's and/or boys' shirt with accessible exterior pocket(s)/slot(s).

FIG. 12 Refers to a tunic, shirt, and/or a dress, “(but, not limited to)” pattern pieces, whereas; for reference purposes only; for the (i.e. front panel, rear panel, sleeves(s) and pocket(s), in order to coincide with the written descriptions. 

1-6. (canceled) 7: A outer garment comprising: a front panel attached to a rear panel; a neck opening; two arm opening; and at least one pocket or slot with the internal portion of the pocket or slot of the garment, left unstitched at the bottom portion of the pocket or slot seam line, wherein will create the opening for allowing the driveline cord of the LVAD/RVAD, including the components of the peripheral support device of a ventricular assist device to pass through so that the LVAD/RVAD equipment can be contained within a purse or bag.
 8. The outer garment of claim 7, wherein the at least one pocket or slot is formed with a reinforcing material, wherein gives longevity to the life of the garments and allow ease during the passage of the peripheral support devices.
 9. The outer garment of claim 8, wherein the at least one pocket or slot comprise of a closure mechanism.
 10. The outer garment of claim 7, wherein said garment covers the internal portion of the device driveline cord during use, wherein eliminating the puckering that is associated with the devices driveline cord when wearing a non-adapted LVAD garment.
 11. The outer garment of claim 7, wherein the garment forms a tunic, shirt, dress, jumpsuit, romper, jacket, coat, cardigan or sweater, giving options to camouflage the exposed portion of the driveline and the other components of the peripheral support device carried in their life sustaining medical device bag.
 12. The outer garment of claim 7, wherein the garment may be worn by a patient without altering operations of the ventricular device, allowing patients the freedom to wear fashionable outer garments. 